GNO’s productions of the one-act operas Aleko & Bluebeard’s Castle reach audiences worldwide through Mezzo Live and medici.tv. The global premiere of the broadcasts is scheduled for 15 December 2024

Mezzo Live, the premier global channel for opera, will broadcast the latest opera double bill produced by the Greek National Opera featuring Aleko & Bluebeard’s Castle, to audiences worldwide on 15 December 2024 at 22.10.

On the same day, at 21.00, medici.tv, the leading online platform for classical music and opera, will launch its partnership with the GNO through a global broadcast of the one-act opera Aleko.

The opera double bill was conducted by Fabrizio Ventura. The stage direction of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Aleko carries the signature of Fanny Ardant, while Themelis Glynatsis directed the production of Béla Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle. The partnership with Mezzo Live and medici.tv is made possible by a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) [www.SNF.org] to enhance the Greek National Opera’s artistic outreach.

Expanding its artistic outreach towards an international audience, the Greek National Opera is continuing its strategic collaboration with the global opera channel Mezzo Live for a fourth consecutive year while introducing a new partnership with the highly popular online platform medici.tv.

Aleko, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s one-act masterpiece, was presented for the first time in Greece and by the Greek National Opera last November, featuring stage direction by Fanny Ardant, sets by Pierre-André Weitz, costumes by Katarzyna Lewińska, choreography and movement by Israel Galván, and lighting by César Godefroy. Tassis Christoyannis made his role debut as Aleko. The character of the young Gypsy man was portrayed by Yannis Christopoulos, Zemfira by Myrsini Margariti, the old man by Yanni Yannissis, and the Gypsy woman by Ines Zikou. Agathangelos Georgakatos conducted the GNO Chorus.

Béla Bartók’s one-act opera Bluebeard’s Castle, directed by Themelis Glynatsis, premiered at the GNO in the 2022/23 season and returned in November 2024, when it was presented as part of a double bill with Aleko. The stage installation and costumes were designed by Leslie Travers. Katerina Gevetzi was responsible for the movement, Stella Kaltsou created the lighting design, and Marios Gampierakis and Chrysoula Korovesi designed the video projections. Tasos Tsigkas was in charge of the sound design. The leading roles were performed by Tassos Apostolou and Violetta Lousta.

The Orchestra of the Greek National Opera was conducted by Fabrizio Ventura.

A few words about MEZZO LIVE

Mezzo broadcasts in over 80 countries worldwide. Since its establishment in France in 1996, it has been regarded as the premier global television network for classical music, opera, and dance, with passionate viewers all over the world. Its programme features the most important opera and dance productions, as well as concerts from the world’s leading opera houses and most prestigious concert halls. In Greece, Mezzo is available through Cosmote TV.

A few words about MEDICI.TV

Medici.tv is a pioneering platform for classical music available in 190 countries, hosting a diverse and enduring repertoire for classical music enthusiasts. This globally impactful platform aims to bring exceptional talents and renowned artists together while making classical music accessible to a broader audience through a captivating and constantly refreshed repertoire.

Aleko – Sergei Rachmaninoff & Bluebeard’s Castle – Béla Bartók

Premiere on Mezzo Live: 15 December 2024 at 22.10

Broadcast schedule – information: https://www.mezzo.tv/en/Opera/Rachmaninov-Aleko-Bartók-Bluebeard’s-Castle-Greek-National-Opera-15096

Aleko – Sergei Rachmaninoff

Premiere on medici.tv: 15 December 2024 at 21.00

Broadcast schedule– information: https://www.medici.tv/en/operas/rachmaninov-aleko-greek-national-opera-fanny-ardant-fabrizio-ventura-tassis-christoyannis

The opera double bill Aleko & Bluebeard’s Castle was filmed in the Stavros Niarchos Hall of the GNO at the SNFCC on 12 and 14 November 2024.

Meanwhile, Mezzo Live will continue to broadcast the following GNO productions:

• Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini, as part of the Puccini 100 tribute (broadcast schedule: mezzo.tv/en)
• The Murderess by Giorgos Koumendakis (broadcast schedule: mezzo.tv/en)
• Wozzeck by Alban Berg (broadcast schedule: mezzo.tv/en)
• Juditha triumphans by Antonio Vivaldi (broadcast schedule: mezzo.tv/en)

Production sponsor for Aleko & Bluebeard’s Castle

Lead Donor of the GNO